Ziggy Hood guys . . .

[BelichickFan]

I see a lot of references to us taking Hood despite the fact that he's a gap penetrator, isn't a tough run guy and is often described as "playing on skates". Does someone want to talk me into this guy ? I know Wilfork was a penetrator in college too but he had/has bulk that Ziggy will never have, Ziggy isn't bulky enough to play NT (full time) but is a couple inches short to be a premium DE candidate for us.

This is one guy I see on mocks here that I just don't get.

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

I see a lot of references to us taking Hood despite the fact that he's a gap penetrator, isn't a tough run guy and is often described as "playing on skates". Does someone want to talk me into this guy ? I know Wilfork was a penetrator in college too but he had/has bulk that Ziggy will never have, Ziggy isn't bulky enough to play NT (full time) but is a couple inches short to be a premium DE candidate for us.

This is one guy I see on mocks here that I just don't get.

I have to agree our current end are 6'5" Warren and 6'6" Seymour and both have long arms. I think Ziggy would be best playing in a 4-3 in a three technique. He does have power and explosion to blow by guards but I really have not seen good gap control on the run. Watching his senior bowl his one on ones were awesome but when they got into the scrimmage he would penetrate to quick and run by the ball. He would use his spin move too many times on run plays where at that level the play is gone by the time you spin back. I found he let a lot of Lineman get to the LB too often then he would miss the play in the backfield. This gap discipline is what would worry me about him playing a 5 tech in our defense. While he does make plays in the passing game and will penetrate the right gap and blow up the RB in the backfield but I think he is made for another scheme but that is just my opinion.

I think if a 4-3 like Arizona gets this kid he could be like their Darnell Docket where he could go at nose when they go nickle and a three man front. His quickness in combo with the blitz schemes possible, I think would make this kid too valuable to teams like Indy, Bills, Titans, Bengals ect. I think he will be a good NFLer but in a 4-3.

 

[Revman]

Simply put Hood is a very good football player. He is not a Nose Tackle. Though if he weighed 340 he would do ok. Hood is the most ready to contribute D-lineman in this draft. Warren goes 6'4-Hood stands 6'3. Hood is actually a better prospect than Warren was as a senior coming into the draft. Very polished with a great work ethic-that was the knock on Warren coming out of A&M-work ethic.Hood has the natural skill sets that most 300lb's lack. Watch some film and you will see quickness-strength, and top notch ball reaction. He has a rare ability to cut off blocks that could be useful as a 3/4 end. I really think he is a guy that is being overlooked. He will be helping win games while many guys that get picked ahead will not match his production. Versatility to go inside makes him more attractive.

 

[mgteich]

Belichick is evaluating the THREE top 3-4 DE's, as everyone else is.

CURRENT DRAFT GUESS
JACKSON 10 -25
HOOD 20-35
GILBERT 25-50

 

[AzPatsFan]

The Pats need a genuine reserve NT and someone to give Wilfork a blow occasionally. I'd be much more interested in a Ron Brace, even if he isn't the athletic equal to Ziggy.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

The Pats are setting themselves up for failure if they plan on taking a DT or DE when their are pass rushers and cover people available. The reason why I say this is because since Belichick has been with the Pats, they have spent one 1st round pick on a LB and one 1st round pick on a DB. The Pats have waited way too long to upgrade their LB's and secondary which has killed them for 4 straight years. I don't care if the DT is a better "prospect" or better "value" then a LB or DB. If you want to win now, sometimes you have to pass up a "better player" for someone that can fill a need. I mean seriously, the Pats need players that are going to see the field regularly. As long as Seymour, Wilfork and Warren are healthy, good luck seeing the field Mr. Draft pick DT.

 

[Water Boy]

Does someone want to talk me into this guy ?

Mayock is not real psyched on any of the DTs in the draft. IIRC, he said that Hood, Gilbert and Moala lack consistency and do not play up to their physical abilities.

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

Ziggy is not projected to be a 3-4 NT. This would be a wasted of a pick at 23. I rather stray away from NT at 23 and grab a LB or DE!!

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

Simply put Hood is a very good football player. He is not a Nose Tackle. Though if he weighed 340 he would do ok. Hood is the most ready to contribute D-lineman in this draft. Warren goes 6'4-Hood stands 6'3. Hood is actually a better prospect than Warren was as a senior coming into the draft. Very polished with a great work ethic-that was the knock on Warren coming out of A&M-work ethic.Hood has the natural skill sets that most 300lb's lack. Watch some film and you will see quickness-strength, and top notch ball reaction. He has a rare ability to cut off blocks that could be useful as a 3/4 end. I really think he is a guy that is being overlooked. He will be helping win games while many guys that get picked ahead will not match his production. Versatility to go inside makes him more attractive.

I really do not see him playing against the run well enough in our 3-4. While I do agree he is a talent as I stated above I have see him over penetrate, lose gap responsibility and let OL reach his backers too many times to call him the most ready to contribute D-Line in the class. Raji has that distinction by far and believe it or not Evert Brown at DE is the other one IMO.

Hood is a beast in the gym with like 35 reps and his pass rush is top notch. I just do not see him stacking OL up taking on double teams but he can be a great one gap penetrator When he is asked to play two gaps he slows down and trys to think too much. He then gets doubled and lets the OL to the backer too easy instead of tunring his shoulders, splitting the linemen and making the play.

He tries to spin way too much and NFL linemen are going to knock him on his a**. Ever since the senior bowl I have had him mid second round depending on how high Indy might reach to get a DT for their 4-3. He will learn to take on the run better IMO but his explosiveness as a one gap DT or a three tech is the way to go with this guy.